"Anakin, you are always looking so morose nowadays. Cheer up, for the love of the Force," commented Obi wan, shaking his head at his former padawan.
"NO! You don't understand!" shouted Anakin, mildly scaring Obi wan for a moment. "She left the Order because the Jedi Order failed her. We rejected her when she was at her most vulnerable, when she needed us the most," he ranted, pouring out all his frustrations, his feelings of anger which stemmed from his utter helplessness as he watched Ahsoka being stripped of her Padawan rank by the Jedi Council.
"Anakin," reasoned Obi Wan," You must listen. You must let her go. Ahsoka chose to leave the Order of her own free will."
Yet Anakin Skywalker was as defiant as ever.
"How would you feel if I left the Order, or turned, or did something horrible like that?" demanded Anakin. "You just don't understand. "
The fading light was soothing, and Anakin gazed at it. His troops were at camp at least 20 metres from them, in order to maintain a little privacy, however he noticed Rex coming over with some firewood and a matchbox.
"Good evening, Generals," he nodded to both, then began searching for someone. Anakin realized he was searching for Ahsoka, whom he usually formally greeted as "Commander Tano." Seeing no-one, he sheepishly turned his eyes away once he remembered. Bitter anger surged up into Anakin's emotions and he was about to curtly dismiss Rex for bringing the memories back again when he realized Rex was building a fire for them.
Instead of ordering, Anakin calmed his emotions and said in a grateful voice, "Thanks Rex."
Once again, Anakin released his anger into the force. Obi Wan sensed it, and frowned at Anakin, who was beginning to settle down to sleep. It had only been less than a fortnight since Ahsoka's departure from the Order and he could sense her missing presence. On the battlefield, during training, everywhere. It was like a part of him had been lost.
"Anything else I can do for you, sirs?" Rex stood to attention.
"No thanks Rex, now make sure you and your men get a good nights' rest. We'll be out again early tomorrow morning." Obi wan nodded in thanks.
The two Jedi settled down to sleep. Anakin missed exchanging sarcastic remarks and snippy retorts at each other before bedtime. Anakin, as he had been ever since Ahsoka's departure, began tossing and turning restlessly in his sleep.
During the night, something awoke Obi wan. Looking to see what he noise was, he realized it was Anakin, unconsciously crying out, "Snips! Wait! I know it wasn't you! Please wait so we can sort this out together!" Then, "How can you abandon the Order like this? It is your life! You can't just throw it away like this!" Obi wan touched Anakin's pillow, only to find it severely wet.
Only then, had Obi wan realized how much Anakin missed his padawan.
Sure, he was aware Anakin missed Ahsoka, but never realized that Anakin had formed such a strong attachment in the two years Master and Apprentice were together. He knew attachments were Anakin's downfall and had to be rectified.
Then, one final cry escaped Anakin's lips.
"Snips, I am so, so sorry."